ICE 64 Explorer: Gillian and Jordi share the story of their world-cruising sailboat.
“This boat is exactly what we wanted, and we could only have created it with Ice Yachts”. Gillian and Jordi’s eyes light up with excitement as they talk about their new Ice 64 Explorer. The couple commissioned a fully custom-built yacht equipped with an innovative energy system designed to guarantee long-range autonomy.
Their goal is inspiring: to live aboard their boat while sailing around the world. “We had a very clear idea in mind and presented the project to several shipyards – they tell us – until we found the perfect partner in Ice Yachts. Marco Malgara and Umberto Felci were immediately intrigued by the challenge”.
The result is incredible: the innovations Gillian and Jordi requested for their Ice 64 Explorer are numerous and have further enhanced what was already an excellent starting platform. After all, the motivation behind the project was a strong one: “We used to live aboard a smaller boat – the couple explains – and we spent the lockdown in French Polynesia. It’s a very remote place, and during that time, it was extremely difficult to get supplies or carry out repairs. That experience made us realize we needed a more spacious yacht—and above all, one that could be energy self-sufficient”.
The design and construction phase naturally took a lot of time, but the finish line is finally in sight: Gillian and Jordi’s Ice 64 Explorer is expected to be launched by the end of June, once the final testing phase is complete. “We’re thrilled, we can’t wait; this is our dream coming true” they emphasize.
“In the Mediterranean, if you need to recharge your batteries, you just dock at one of the many marinas. But in the world’s most remote places—the ones we actually want to explore—you can’t do that. That’s why we had a large solar power system installed on the boat”. Gillian and Jordi’s previous boat was equipped with a small 3-kilowatt diesel generator. Now, their Ice 64 Explorer is powered by an innovative 48-volt hybrid system that makes the yacht completely self-sufficient—even over long distances. And most importantly, it does so without polluting, since it draws most of its power from the sun, thanks to over 3 kW of solar panels mounted on the hardtop.
“The electrical system was probably the most important—and also the most challenging—innovation – the couple notes – Ice Yachts did an outstanding job, bringing in an electrician from the automotive sector who took on the challenge and made it work. The 48-volt system is also very safe because it dramatically reduces amperage (and therefore the heat generated by the electrical cables). For example, we didn’t even need to install a forward battery to power the windlass and bow thruster”.
Like all ICE Yachts, this boat promises to be high-performance—thanks also to its powerful sail plan, which has been carefully designed to be manageable even by a single person. “If you’re crossing the Atlantic with just two people, you need a sailboat that’s simple and fast, one that lets you take solo watches”, Gillian and Jordi point out.
But the innovations on this custom Ice 64 Explorer don’t stop there. Gillian and Jordi continue: “In places like the Caribbean, weather conditions can be extreme. You can get intense sun that literally fries you, but also heavy rain that makes it impossible to enjoy the outdoor spaces on the boat for days. That’s why we wanted a large, rigid hardtop—to have a spacious, covered area that works in any weather condition”.
Additionally, although the yacht is equipped with two watermakers, it also features a rainwater collection system: “We’ve had bad experiences in very remote places where it was impossible to get drinking water. This rainwater system is not only a survival tool—it’s also a sustainable solution. Out in the middle of the ocean, rain is pure, so you can safely use it to keep fresh water on board at all times”.
Last but not least is the induction-based antifouling system: “This is a major innovation that will free us from worrying about hull cleaning. Around the world, it’s not always easy to find a reliable boatyard where you can haul the boat out of the water”.
In conclusion, Gillian and Jordi’s Ice 64 Explorer is a yacht entirely built around the couple’s needs—but it’s also sustainable and smartly designed for anyone, packed with innovations that could serve as inspiration for other sea adventurers. “With this project, we’re building the boat of the future – confirms Marco Malgara of Ice Yachts – I’m grateful to Gillian and Jordi for giving us the opportunity to create something truly unique and different”.
“The innovations we’ve installed on their Ice 64 Explorer will become standard on all yachts within the next twenty years. Just think about cars—two decades ago, features like GPS navigation, air conditioning, and advanced safety systems weren’t common, but today they’re standard. With this project, we’re laying the groundwork for the future of boating”.
ICE 64 EXPLORER: Technical Specs
LOA | 19.70 m |
LWL | 16.86 m |
Max Beam | 5.19 m |
Draft | 2.80 m |
Ballast | 6 t |
Engine | Yanmar Diesel 4jH 110 Hp |
Water Capacity | 1300 l |
Fuel Capacity | 1200 l |
Black Water Capacity | 154 l |
Grey Water Capacity | 116 l |
